These interior designers tell us where others have gone wrong—so you don't have to.

By Abbe Wright

Photo: Noah Webb

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Mistake #1: Bringing the Caribbean to Canton

"Some people, who return from traveling in Italy or the Caribbean, get inspired by the exotic locales and want to design a room based around where they've just been. I always remind them to maintain a sense of place—to respect where their home is actually located. The light and landscape is different, and so a tropical look won't translate unless you live in a similar climate. Instead, take what you love about the setting and incorporate into your home. Keep your pallet simple and use accessories that hint at the environment you love."—Tim Clarke, author of Coastal Modern: Sophisticated Homes Inspired by the Ocean (Potter)

Left:The whale bone over the mantel and the bleached coral on the coffee table give a slight nod to the sea without making the room feel like a beach cottage.